Removable core lock



Nov. 21, 1961 M. M. CHECK REMOVABLE coRE Loox 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 14, 1959 ...all

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2 sheets-Sheet 2 Flled April 14, 1959 \..l IU i III I United StatesPatent Gillice 3,009,349 Patented Nov. 2l, 1961 3,009,349 REMOVABLE CORE LOCK Mathias M. Check, Valley Forge, Pa., assigner to The Yale and Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Apr. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 806,352 Claims. (Cl. 70-369) This invention relates to a removable lock core of the type having a key-operated plug and tumblers with the plug rotatable relatively to the core when released. This core is adapted for insertion and removal relatively to a housing, the housing being generally of a cylindrical con iiguration assembled to a lock. In locks of the particular class, insertion of one key will merely eifect the release of the key plug so that it may rotate relatively to the cylinder lock core to retract .a latchbolt or to control a bolt, depending on the lock construction. Insertion of a second key will set the tumblers in a manner to permit the operation of a retaining member that normally holds the lock core Within the cylindrical housing.

The purpose of locks of the particular class is to permit ready removal and insertion of the look core relatively to the look housing so that it is easy to change the lock core when that becomes desirable, as in the event it is desired to change keys. Those skilled in the art wil-1 readilyI appreciate that the combination that I have thus set `forth broadly is old in the art, and is shown in numerous patents.

So far as I know, the problem of a suitable retainer for a lock core has always confronted the art. In other words, it is exceedingly diicult to develop a retainer that may be operated with facility, and yet will be positive,

rap-prooi, and easily controlled so as to permit the ready insertion and removal of the lock core.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize a retainer that is actuated through the simple rotation of the key plug alone, by the mere setting of the regular tumblers, thereby eliminating the need for a special sleeve or other means required by the prior art. This obviates the need for discs or cut tuimb-lers to be set by a special key hitting.- Those skilled in the art realize that discs and cut tumblers. decrease security and make it possible for lookouts to occur.

As a Ifeature of my invention, I utilize a pin or the like carried by the key plug, but not projected from the key plug `until set by a special key. Upon being set by a special key, the pin is projected so as to act as a detent and to move retainer from a retaining to a release position. The construction set forth may be mounted at the end of the lock core with the pin actuated by the end of the key, thereby making possible the placing of the retainer in a position where it may function best. Moreover, it is possible to form Within the housing a slot or surface cooperable with the retainer, without unduly coinplicating the manufacture ot the retainer.

As a further feature of the invention, the retainer, while spring pressed into locking position relatively to the cylinder housing, is not movable out of retaining position against the pressure of the spring until the key plug is rotated. More particularly, there is between the key plug and the retainer a connection that permits free ro tation of the key plug relatively to the retainer but prevents movement of the retainer out of retaining position except when the key plug rotates. Thls prevents the rapping of the detent out of locking position as those skilled in the art will well appreciate.

As a still further feature of my invention, I utilize a novel form of cam on the end of the key plug of my core, making it possible to remove the core with the cam still secured thereto.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that yfollows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my Iinventionthat will be described hereinafter and which will [form 'the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a .basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

My invention having been broadlyI described, a more detailed description of one embodiment of the invention is given hereafter by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a look assembly incorporating my invention, showing the housing, removable lock core, and key plug;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1, showing the pin for actuation of the retainer in FIG. 5 is also a rear view of the look assembly similar' to that of FIG. 4, but -showinghow the end-of thelatchf cam is notched to permit removal of the lock core when the key plug has been turned approximately 15;

FIG. 6` is a sectional view taken on the line-6--6-of'f FIG. 3, showing the pin projected into the retainer by-` insertion ot a special key preparatory to rotating the key plug to cam the retainerout of the slot in the housing to permit removal of the lock core; Y

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to that of FI G. 6,

but showing theretainer cammed out of the slot intheV housing to permit removal of the lock core, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the lock core removed from the housing. f v

Referring to the'drawings, and in particular to-FIG. 2,

the lock includes a housing 10, a lock core 11, and a key plug 12. The lock core 11 is slidably received with in Ithe housing 10 and the key plug 12 rotatable the lock core 11 uponproper setting off tumblers 13` by a key of .the proper bitting. The tumblers 13 areloaded A latch cam.Y

by conventional drivers 14 and springs 15. 16 is secured to the end of the key plug 12 by screws 17 and is rotatable with the key plug 12 to retract a latch` bolt or to control -a bolt, depending on the lock construction.

10a, so that it may be secured to the usual lock case.

As so far described, the lock assembly is of generally the retainer The housing 10 is provided with a threaded end l conventional construction. The lock, however, differs from conventional construction in the provision of an extra pin or tumbler 18 which in retracted position is contained within the key plug, but which may 'be projected -by a key K of proper length and bitting to engage in a slot 19a in a pivotally mounted retainer 19, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The retainer 19 is pivoted within the lock core 11 on a pin 20 and is of a size to be contained completely within the lock core 11 in retracted position and to extend beyond the outer surface of the lock core 11 in extended position. When the lock core 11 is completely inserted in the housing 19 and the retainer 19 extended, the edge of the retainer is received in a slot 21 in the housing 10` to lock the core within the housing 10, as best shown in FIG. 6. To remove the lock core 11, a key K of proper length and bitting to set the tumblers 13 and to project the pin 18 is inserted in the key slot 12a of the key plug 12 and the key plug 12 rotated. As the key plug 12 is thus rotated, the pin 18 cams the retainer 19 out of the slot 21 as shown in FIG. 7, thereby permitting the lock core to be withdrawn from the housing as shown in FIG. 8.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the latch cam 16 is secured to the key plug 1-2 and to permit its removal with the lock core 11, it is notched at 16a. The conventional shape of the cam is shown in dotted lines, and it will be appreciated that without the notch 16a the cam 16 would prevent removal of the lock core 11. Having the cam xed to the key plug permits it to be replaced or repaired, should it become worn or damaged.

Preferably the retainer 19 is provided with a spring 22 which engages the wall of the housing and urges the retainer 19 to extended position. The spring 22 is not necessary, however, as the retainer 19 is moved positively in both directions by the pin 18 to insure that the retainer is fully released from or engaged with the housing 10. However, the spring 22 does help to prevent the retainer 19 from vibrating out of alignment and remaining so, if there should be a binding or sluggish action due to dirt or some other restricting cause.

A projecting lug 23 on the edge of the retainer 19, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 meshes with a notch or cut-out 24 in the key plug 12, so that the retainer 19 cannot be rotated out of locked position without simultaneous rotation of the key plug 12. This prevents disengagement of the retainer by rapping.

A second projection 25 on the retainer 19 engages the surface of the key core and prevents excessive rotation of the retainer 19 after the retainer is disengaged from the slot 21.

From the above description it can be seen that I have provided an improved cylinder lock in which the lock core may be easily and quickly removed by a mere setting of the regular tumblers and rotation of the key plug. This eliminates the need for a special sleeve or other means which have heretofore been deemed necessary to provide a removable lock core. The invention also obviates the need of discs or cut tumblers to be set by special key bitting.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that changes and modicatons can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I now claim:

1. In a combination of the class described, a lock housing, a lock core slidable in and out of said housing, a key plug rotatable relative to said lock core upon the setting of a series of tumblers, a retainer mounted on said lock core for extension beyond the outer surface of said lock core, means on said lock housing engageable with said retainer when said retainer is in an extended position to thereby lock said lock core in said housing, means extendable from said key plug to a position in laterally opposed relationship with a portion of said retainer and engageable with said portion of said retainer to retract said retainer upon rotation of said key plug to thereby permit removal of said lock core from said housing, and cooperating means on said retainer and on said key plug providing opposed surfaces engagea-ble to prevent disengagement of said retainer from said means on said lock housing except when said key plug is rotated.

2. In a combination of the class described, a lock housing, a lock core adapted to slide in and out of an opening in said housing conforming to the configuration of the lock core, a key plug rotatable relatively to said lock core upon the setting of a series of tumblers, a retainer rotatably mounted on said lock core, a pin carried entirely within said key plug and projectable by a key out of said key plug into a position in laterally opposed relationship with a portion of said retainer whereby a force is applied to said portion of said retainer by said pin upon rotation of said key plug thereafter by said key to effect operation of said retainer, said retainer being rotatable relatively to said core and into and out of a slot formed in said housing when said cylinder lock core is in said housing in alignment with said slot, and a projection on said retainer adapted to mesh with a notch in said key plug whereby said retainer can rotate out of said slot only upon rotation of said key plug.

3. In a combination of the class described, a lock hous ing, a lock core adapted to slide in and out of an opening in said housing conforming to the configuration of the lock core, a key plug rotatable relatively to said lock core upon the setting of a series of tumblers, a retainer rotatably mounted on said lock core yfor movement into and out of a slot formed in said housing when said cylinder lock core is in said housing in alignment with said slot, means carried entirely within said key plug and projectable by a key out of said key plug into a position in laterally opposed relationship with a portion of said retainer,

whereby rotation of said key plug thereafter by said key forces said projecting means against said portion of said retainer to effect operation of said retainer, and a projec-v 4. In a combination of the class described, a lock hous ing, a lock core slidable in and out of said housing, a key plug mounted for rotation in said lock core, said key plug having a longitudinally extending key slot and av plurality of longitudinally aligned locking tumblers slidably mounted in said key plug with the inner ends of the tumblers extending into said key slot whereby said tumblers may be set by a key inserted into said key slot tol allow rotation of the key plug relatively to said lock core, a pin independent of said locking tumblers aligned longitudinally with said locking tumblers and slidably mounted in said key plug with the inner end of said pin extending into said key slot and the outer opposite end of said pin being projectable lbeyond the outer surface of said key plug by a key inserted in said key plug, a retainer mounted on said lock core for extension beyond the outer surface of said lock core, means on said lock housing engageable with said retainer when said retainer is extended whereby to lock said lock core in said housing, said retainer having a portion thereof in laterally opposed relationship with the outer end of said pin and engageable by said outer end of said pin when said pin is projected from the outer surface of said key plug whereby rotation of said key plug effects operation of said retainer to release said lock core from said lock housing.

5. In a combination of the class described, a lock housing, a lock core slidable in and out of said housing, a key plug mounted for rotation in said lock core, said key plug having a longitudinally extending key slot and a plurality of longitudinally aligned locking tumblers slidably mounted in said key plug with the inner ends of the tumblers extending into said key slot whereby said turnblers may be set by a key inserted into said key slot to allow rotation of the key plug relatively to said lock core,

6 a pin slidably mounted in said key plug with the inner 4jected from the outer surface of said key plug whereby end of said pin extending into said key slot and an outer rotation of said key plug pivots said retainer to release end of said pin being projectable beyond the outer surface said lock core from said lock housing.

of said key plug by a key inserted in said key plug, a

retainer, pivot means mounting said retainer on said 5 References Cie in the file 0f thS patent lock core for pivotal extension beyond the outer surface UNITED STATES PATENTS of said lock core, means on said lock housing engageable able by said outer end of said pin when said pin is pro- 

